10 Budget-Friendly Fruits and Vegetables to Add to Your Shopping List

There are many explanations for soaring grocery bills, but inflation usually has something to do with it. With some planning, you can stick to your grocery budget without giving up your favorite foods or missing out on important nutrients. Tips to save money on food often suggest clipping coupons, purchasing in bulk, and sticking to private labels. But these tips don’t always apply to two of the major food groups—fruits and vegetables.

The produce department can be one of the pricier parts of the supermarket…depending on what you buy. Fresh berries, apricots, kiwis, and artichokes are some of the most expensive fruits and vegetables, the USDA found. Here are 10 budget-friendly fruits and vegetables to buy instead to get your fill of delicious nutrients without splurging.

Potatoes

Everyone’s favorite veggie, the potato, is considered one of the most satiating options around. Potatoes are filling, versatile, and long-lasting when stored properly. If grocery prices are a concern, you can get a large bag of potatoes for less than the price of a latte. The spuds will keep in your pantry, and there’s tons you can do with potatoes—mash ‘em, bake ‘em, or load ‘em up with your favorite toppings. A can of chili and sprinkle of cheese can turn a plain old baked potato into a tasty dinner.  

Bananas

A portable source of potassium, a banana usually costs less than a quarter. Trader Joe’s recently raised the price of its bananas from 19 cents a piece to 23 cents each. Even with the price increase, bananas remain one of the most budget-friendly fruits you can buy. They make for a great snack on the go, but you can also freeze them for smoothies, slice them for oatmeal toppings, or bake them into banana bread.

Apples

Apple season usually runs in the fall months, but you can still score great deals on apples throughout the year. And the best part is that they keep in the fridge for a few weeks, so you can stock up when prices are low and use them over time. Apples are great for snacking or dipping in peanut butter, but you can also juice them, dice them for your oatmeal or cereal, or cook them on the stovetop with some cinnamon.

Carrots

Produce is generally most affordable when it’s in season, but you can—and should—get carrots year-round. They’re rich in antioxidants, especially those associated with eye health, like lutein and beta carotene. While orange carrots are the most familiar kind, carrots come in a variety of colors. You can pick up a bag of rainbow carrots to roast, or stick to baby carrots for convenient snacking.

Watermelon

It may come as a surprise, but large melons aren’t the splurge some people think they are. By the pound, watermelons are among the most budget-friendly fruits, especially in the summer months when they’re in season. You can get tons of servings out of a single watermelon, so even though you’ll shell out more at the register for one fruit, the price per serving is fairly low.

Cantaloupe

When you need to bring a cheap crowd pleaser to summer parties, consider bringing a fruit salad. Melons like cantaloupe are an inexpensive gem to know. Each one will only run you a few bucks, so whether you dice it or slice it, each serving is priced low. Rich in water content, cantaloupes are a refreshing way to rehydrate when it’s hot out. They also provide key antioxidants, like vitamin C.

Cucumbers

There aren’t many vegetables you can get for under a buck, which is why cucumbers should be on every frugal shopper’s grocery list. Technically cucumbers are part of the melon family, which makes them fruits, but they’re treated like vegetables because of how they are often prepared. Most of the ways to use cucumbers involve adding them to salad recipes, but you can also snack on them alongside baby carrots, or dunk them into your favorite dip or salad dressing.

Cabbage

A head of cabbage is on the cheaper side, but if you don’t cook with it often, you might be missing out on this low-cost cruciferous veggie. Cabbage really shines when it’s fried or sautéed, so shred a head of green cabbage to add bulk and texture to your stir fry dishes. You can also shred purple cabbage and use it in raw salads. Some people even drink purple cabbage juice because it’s rich in nutrients like vitamin C, iron, calcium, and magnesium.

Onions

Many good savory recipes start with an onion. There are many types of onions, and prices can vary depending on the variety. Generally, yellow onions are on the cheaper side, which is good news if you do a lot of cooking since they caramelize when cooked. Green onions tend to be pricier, so if you’re trying to keep your grocery bill as low as possible, grab a bag of yellow onions instead. They don’t go bad quickly, so a bulk bag of onions could save you money while lasting for a couple of months in your pantry.

Iceberg Lettuce

Iceberg lettuce isn’t a dark leafy green, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile. The crunchy lettuce is rich in water, and provides a moderate amount of fiber. If you normally reach for greens like spinach, kale, or arugula for your salads, give iceberg lettuce a try. It’s more affordable and more mild in flavor, so even picky eaters tend to enjoy it.